My 1978 Hotel

Chapter 96: The Knife Loach Crisis and the Coming Drought
Wu Shengnan was a bit confused. It sounded like Li Feng was being displeased without a restaurant or benefits. Aren't writers supposed to be noble and dedicated? Why, with Li Feng, do they become money puppets, prioritizing profit above all else?

"Public Security Officer Wu?"

Li Feng was a little panicked when Wu Shengnan stared at him. What happened? He just said the wrong thing. Did he violate some laws? Not to mention that it was really possible these days. He might really be arrested for talking nonsense.

"Forget it. I've brought what I need."

Wu Shengnan was filled with disappointment. This Li Feng was truly worthless. How could such a talented person be such a piece of shit? She really wanted to beat him up. However, Li Feng had no idea that Wu Shengnan wanted to beat him up and kick him a few times.

Wu Shengnan left with a head full of contempt, leaving Li Feng bewildered. What the hell? Why did Wu Gongan's eyes look so strange? "Forget it, forget it, who cares." As for the invitation from the Tongcheng County Literary Hobby Club, he simply put it aside.

The first thing to do is to pull some bamboos, make some bamboo strips, and weave some tools, such as bamboo baskets, bamboo baskets, bamboo plaques, etc. These can help complete the task progress, and the family really needs these tools.

There's no way. These days, most household items are made by hand. Rural areas don't have as many industrial coupons as cities. Generally, city workers are given one industrial coupon for every 20 yuan they earn, and they save the money to buy industrial products like thermoses, iron pots, and bicycles.

But in the countryside, there were none. Even two porcelain basins might not be enough to buy a thermos if you exchanged them for industrial coupons all year round. You had to ask someone to share some money with you if you wanted to buy a thermos. Farmers didn't have much money, and after the annual distribution of grain, the better off could only have a few dozen or even a hundred dollars.

In places with large populations and many children, the food rations may not be enough to eat, let alone money, let alone industrial coupons. It has to be said that the workers-peasants scissors are still quite powerful.

"Oh, why did I forget to ask Public Security Wu?"

Li Feng slapped his forehead, realizing that he had forgotten such an important matter. Director Wu had promised him that the county would help solve some industrial voucher problems. Without industrial vouchers, he could buy Hammer's bicycle and Hammer's iron pot.

She had forgotten such an important thing. Wu Shengnan was still angry when she returned to the commune.

"Shengnan, why didn't you tell me when you gave Li Feng the industrial vouchers?"

Wu Xiaofeng complained that there were dozens of letters addressed to Li Feng. Wu Shengnan just wanted to tell her that it would be great if she could go with her and hand the letters to Li Feng, so that she wouldn't have to make another trip.

"Industrial coupons?"

Wu Shengnan was stunned for a moment and quickly took out the envelope from her pocket. Sure enough, it was still there. Now she was in trouble. She had originally sent industrial coupons and also brought a message to the literature club. Now she was in trouble.

"what's going on?"

Wu Xiaofeng was also a little confused, and Wu Shengnan told Wu Xiaofeng the situation in a somewhat unhappy manner.

"I'm afraid Comrade Li Feng's life in the countryside is too difficult."

Wu Xiaofeng hesitated. Well, this Li Feng was a bit too much. But when he thought about Li Feng's situation, he was a city dweller but now he became a farmer in the countryside. It seemed understandable that he felt a big gap in his heart and had a low ideological awareness.

"Shengnan, you've never been to the countryside, so you don't know," Wu Xiaofeng said. "Comrade Li Feng is different from the comrades in the county literary society. He has a job, a city hukou, eats commercial grain, and literature is just a hobby."

"Comrade Li Feng has now settled in Hanjiaba. He usually has to work to earn work points. A trip to the county town will cost him a day's work points, and it is inconvenient to go back and forth. It is normal to ask for some fees." After Wu Xiaofeng said this, Wu Shengnan felt much less angry.

"Ah."

Li Feng sneezed. Who said that? It was really strange. He sneezed several times in a row. "Uncle Futian, can you give me some more bamboo? I plan to weave some bamboo baskets myself."

"Can you also weave bamboo?"

Han Futian was a little surprised. This kid definitely didn't need to be taught how to be cunning and deceitful. He liked to eat and drink well, and he also liked to brag and care about his reputation. Of course, he was quite talented and could write articles to earn royalties. He never thought that this kid had a skill.

This is quite a skill. In the past, having a skill could at least support a family. Nowadays, it can at least supplement the family income. "Okay, pay fifty cents and pull more."

"That's great, Uncle Tomita. I'll go pull the bamboo then."

Li Feng planned to weave more things, preferably more bamboo stools, bamboo baskets, and tables and chairs. Wood was hard to come by, and bamboo was cheap and easy to use. "Uncle Futian, the beams will be put up in a few days, so you have to come over early."

"Put up the beam, OK."

Han Futian thought that this kid must be provided with food when he came to the main beam, and there was no doubt that there would be meat, such a delicious meal.

"Oh, this kid is really capable."

Now I have subsidies, which bring me around 10 or 20 yuan a month. Add to that the 10 yuan a month subsidy from relatives, and I make 20 or 30 yuan. I can even write a few articles and earn some royalties. The county and the commune also subsidize some tickets, so when you add it all up, I make as much as the average worker.

Even though the work points were a bit low, they were rich and didn't have to worry about running out of food. "I really envy them."

Li Feng borrowed a cart from the production team and pulled four or five carts of bamboo and small bamboos back and forth, and finally it was almost done.

"Oh, why is the stream in front of the door gone?"

"Yes, and we also go to the river to fetch water."

An You and An Yu were whispering to each other, and Li Feng really didn't notice it. But when he went out to take a look, it was true. The stream at the door was almost out of water, with only a thin puddle left. It was ok for this guy to wash his hands, but it was impossible for him to play with the mud.

"How long has it been since it rained?" Li Feng thought to himself. It seemed like it hadn't rained since he arrived at Hanjiaba, which really was quite a while. "There's still water in the river, so it shouldn't be a problem." But the razorfin loaches were a bit tricky. Li Feng was a little worried. Even though there were razorfin loaches in the river, they were hard to catch.

I need to ask Han Mingliang. Although he's young, he's a good fisherman. Another option is to ask the surrounding production teams. Unfortunately, Public Security Wu seems to have a problem with me. I could ask her for help.

I'm a great writer, so what if I like to eat some swordfish? It's just a special hobby. Collecting some for myself doesn't count as profiteering. "I'm afraid the most common work for everyone lately is carrying water for the seedlings."

The weather was hot and it hadn't rained yet, so the fields were desperately short of water. Most production teams had water pumps these days, but Hanjiaba definitely didn't have any, and Li Feng knew that. "We'll just have to carry water."

The river wasn't close to the slope. Li Feng shuddered at the thought. This guy carried water up the slope every day. Not to mention him, a person from the future, even the young and old men in Hanjiaba would tremble. "Hopefully it will rain in a few days."

The house has been built, so there is no need to worry about rain. Just hold on for a few more days. Thinking this, Li Feng returned to the yard with a bamboo knife and started chopping bamboo. He did so while there was still water in the stream in front of the door, otherwise the bamboo strips would soften and become a problem.

After all, the river is too far away, and it is really inconvenient to go back and forth. Li Feng decided to go back and check the weather here in 78. If there is really a drought, it is always better to make some preparations in advance.

"Tu tu tu tu."

Li Feng was a little confused. Why was Wu Shengnan here again? She just came a while ago. What was the big deal?
"Writer Li."

"Comrade Xiaofeng, please don't call me that."

Li Feng put down the bamboo he was holding, wiped his hands, and greeted Wu Xiaofeng with a smile. "Come in and have some tea."

"Okay."

Wu Xiaofeng was carrying a bag. It was obvious that he was here to deliver a letter. Li Feng was delighted. You know, many of these educated youth had already returned to the city. Everyone had been an educated youth and knew how difficult it was. Some kind-hearted and capable people would send some food coupons to Li Feng.

"Comrade Xiaofeng, please sit down. Public Security Wu, please sit down."

Inviting them to sit down, Li Feng took the letter and glanced at it. You should know that sending food coupons and other tickets now requires special registered mail. Just a glance will tell you. Not bad, at least ten special registered letters.

There were also two small packages, which must have contained some supplies: snacks, candy, or supplements like malted milk, and perhaps even shoes and cloth. Wu Xiaofeng watched Li Feng select the special registered mail and thought to herself that this writer, Li, was truly realistic.

Wu Shengnan didn't particularly understand this and didn't take it seriously. Instead, she took out an envelope and handed it to Li Feng. "These are the industrial vouchers the County Revolutionary Committee asked me to bring you. Please check them."

"Industrial coupons?"

Li Feng happily took it and counted them. Twelve was quite a lot, equivalent to the average worker's annual supply, enough to buy a new iron pot. If he had enough money, he could even buy a bicycle. "That's great. Police Officer Wu, please thank Director Wu for me. These industrial coupons are so timely."

"Drink tea, drink good tea."

Wu Shengnan curled her lips. This Li Feng was really realistic. He had just given her plain water, but now he was drinking tea, and good tea at that. "Come on, Public Security Wu, Comrade Xiaofeng, have some melon seeds and peanuts."

"It smells so good, what kind of peanut is this?"

"Drunkard Peanuts."

Li Feng casually replied, "Drunkard Peanuts." Wu Xiaofeng muttered, wondering why she had never heard of it. Could it be that Li Feng's relatives or readers sent it to him? It's good to be a writer, you can receive anything.

“It’s crispy and fragrant, and it’s deep-fried.”

Wu Xiaofeng ate one and praised it, saying that it was spicy, crispy and delicious, and the oil was generous. It was more fragrant than the usual fried peanuts. No wonder it was called Drunkard's Peanut. It was so delicious to take a bite with a glass of wine.

Even Wu Shengnan was secretly muttering to herself, "Li Feng is really capable of getting such a good thing. And these melon seeds taste unique, different from the usual melon seeds you eat." Of course, these melon seeds have a meaty aroma. Boiled melon seeds are something few people have ever eaten these days, or even heard of.

"fragrant."

Li Feng thought, "Never mind whether you're from the family of the Deputy Director of the Revolutionary Committee or the Deputy Secretary of the Commune, you'll be reduced to an ignorant bumpkin the moment you meet someone like me from the future." The two of them felt a little embarrassed when they saw Li Feng, because the food was really that good.

"Well, I'll bring you the things, and we should go back."

"Shengnan, let's go."

"Why are you leaving now? Wait a minute."

Li Feng took two pieces of brown paper, wrapped some of the drunkard peanuts and five-spice melon seeds, and stuffed one bag into each person's pocket. "Don't think it's too little."

"How can this be so embarrassing?"

Wu Xiaofeng didn't hesitate to accept it. Li Feng was quite generous, considering the weight of the package was at least three or four taels. Wu Shengnan didn't want to accept it, but Wu Xiaofeng had already put it in her pocket, so it would be embarrassing if she didn't.

Wu Shengnan had no choice but to accept it, thinking that she would find a chance to return some things later, or ask for help or something.

(End of this chapter)